I Wish I could Fight you, but I can't

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

Tori's POV

I pull off my bomber jacket and shove onto the top shelf of my locker, taking a brief pause to sip my latte. I can feel the caffeine start to re-energise me, which I'm very grateful for. Training has doubled for me ever since I found out from Rod that I'd be fighting Maya feckner again. Pushing my locker closed, I spin the dial back to zero. "Hey chica" says a familiar voice that I can't help but smile at. I turn to see Andre and Robbie (and Rex I suppose) have arrived next to me. "Hello boys" I reply, taking another sip of coffee. "Did you and Cat get your satellite done?" Robbie asks, adjusting Rex's position on his arm. "Yep, it's got a fully working light and sound system, plus we added a little motor to one of the arms so it will 'orbit' around our little earth!" I say excitedly. Andre jokingly applauds and I give a little bow. "Yeah yeah whatever" Rex yawns sarcastically. I respond by flicking him in the forehead, which earns a laugh from Andre.

"Hey Vega" I hear a moody voice. I look to my left to see Jade West striding over to me. Here we go I mutter to myself. "Did you do the history homework?" She asks, pushing Robbie to the side. I raise an eyebrow. "Yeah...did you?". Jade rolls her eyes at me. "Of course not, now gimme yours" She huffs. I grit my teeth, annoyed. "You had all weekend to do it Jade! And it was like, 3 questions" I remind her. She proceeds to mock me with a stupid southern accent, clearly trying to get on my nerves. Unfortunately for me, it works. "I don't talk like that!" I snap. Jade smirks, pleased to have annoyed me. "Just give me yours and I'll leave" she raises a pierced eyebrow at me. I bite my lip, before sighing and opening my book. "This is the last time I'm letting you do this" She gnashes her teeth at me, grabs my exercise book and walks off. "You better give it back before the second period starts" I yell after her. "If you're lucky" She shouts back. I turn back to Andre, whose managed to stay quiet this whole time. "Why does she hate me?" I ask frustrated, taking a big gulp of coffee. "Well...you did kiss her boyfriend on your first day in front of the entire class AND her" He points out. I shoot him a glare and he holds up his hands defensively. "Speaking of which" Robbie says.

Beck walks over and immediately I feel better. We make eye contact, his kind dark eyes gazing intently into mine. He runs a hand through his silky smooth hair and tugs out one of his earbuds. "Hey guys, you ready for tomorrow afternoon" He asks. I love the sound of his voice so much, it's so warm and comforting. Then I realise what he said. Andre and Robbie reply with enthusiasm. Beck eyes me again. "What's wrong Tori" He asks, voice full of concern. He always knows when something is up. Always. I swallow. "Um, about tomorrow-"

"Hiiii" Cat skips over, joining our little group. I'm grateful for her arrival because I really don't want to bail on my friends. Beck keeps his eyes on me. "Hey little red" Andre says, using his favourite nickname for her. "What were you going to say Tori?" Robbie asks me and I feel my mouth go dry. All my friends eyes are on me. "Oh yeah...um" I begin to say. Thankfully, the bell rings before I can continue. "I'll tell you guys later." I finish. We all say our goodbyes and I begin to make my way up the staircase for my algebra two class.

"Tori, wait" I feel a hand on my shoulder and I spin on my heel. It's Beck. He pulls his hand away and looks deep into my eyes. "Is everything okay with you?" He asks, his tone gentle and kind. "Um yeah, why?" I reply awkwardly, reaching up and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. He shifts his weight from foot to foot. "I don't know, you seem kinda tired and I just wanted to check in" He gnaws on his lower lip, which I think is downright hot. "Oh...well thanks, I'm fine though" I reassure him. He nods, not totally convinced. His gaze is averted to my arm, which is exposed in my t shirt. "Wow, since when did little Tori Vega have this much muscle, you been working out lately?" He asks, ghosting a hand over my bicep. I flinch, his touch was warm and soft on my skin; it took me by surprise. "Um" I begin, but no words come to mind. He quickly pulls his hand away, grimacing. "Sorry, that was...out of line...I" He stammers.

"Don't worry, it's okay" I say, although he is adorable when he's flustered. He shoots me a pearly white smile. "I'll uh...I'll see you in Sikowitz" He finishes, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Yeah, see you then" I manage, before turning around and walking back up the staircase. I don't look back, although I do want to know if he's still there.

What was that all about? My friends have seen me in short sleeves before. I mean, maybe all the exercise I've been doing over the past few days is paying off. "Why do you have to be so damn awkward" I scold myself. I push the door open to my class room and slide into a seat behind Robbie. My teacher instructs us to open our books, but I'm not really listening. I cross my arms across my chest, my hand reaching up to where Beck's had traced over my skin. A small smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. It's only first period and my mind has already slipped off into a blissful daydream. This is going to be a long day.